Hazlet Student, 17, Confirmed as Man Killed by Train Monday Morning

A 17-year-old Raritan High School student has been confirmed as the person who was struck and killed by a NJ Transit train early on Monday morning.

The student, from Hazlet, was killed at approximately 5:30 this morning, after he “trespassed” on to the tracks and was fatally struck by a North Jersey Coast Line train, New Jersey Transit spokeswoman Courtney Carroll said.

A preliminary investigation by NJ Transit Police showed that the man appears to have stepped out in front of the train, Carroll said.

Carroll was unable to confirm if the locomotive engineer had seen the man before he was hit.

Dr. Bernard Bragen, Superintendent of Schools for the Hazlet Township Public Schools district, sent a message to residents this morning offering counseling to students from the high school to help cope with the tragedy.

An official message on the high school’s website said, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of one of our high school students affected by a recent tragedy. At this most difficult time, our students and families continue to remain our number one priority. The primary focus of the Hazlet Township School District is to ensure that we are proactive in providing the necessary services needed for our students’ wellbeing.”

The school website states that any student or community member seeking support at this time can call 732-264-8411, ext. 1011, for assistance.

“The Hazlet Township School District respects the right of children to grieve in their own way and will continue to assist students through this terrible tragedy,“ the message said.

Service had been suspended in both directions during the investigation of the fatal accident, and shuttle buses were used during that time for passengers traveling between the Middletown, Holmdel-Hazlet, and Aberdeen-Matawan stations. Train service was restored at approximately 8:00 a.m., and all trains have resumed normal schedules.

• National Child Traumatic Stress Network ( www.NCTSNet.org.)
• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (www.samhsa.gov/.)
• The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)